I don’t normally shop at Kmart (who actually bought Sears about a decade ago), because I associate them as being “cheap” and “low end.” But did you know that they are the third largest chain of “Department stores” behind Walmart and Target? However, even with around $15 billion in annual sales, their market cap is only around $5 billion (way behind biggies like Amazon [$170B], Walmart [$240B] and Target [$39B].) Even though they have well over 1,000 stores – is it possible that they’re on the edge of going under?

Well, I bought some Craftsman tools this past Christmas, and now I’m on the damn Kmart email list. And I was kind of blown away by the type of marketing they’re doing. Take a look:

Check cashing at Kmart

Who are they marketing to? Why does a department store need check cashing? I suppose they’re so desperate for your money – that they want to take the extra trip to the bank OUT of the equation.

I wonder what % of the people that get their checks cashed there actually shop as well.

Layaway for under $50 items

Perhaps I don’t get out enough. Or have many friends in other parts of the country. But I’ve never heard of a single solitary person putting a $35 dollar bed spread on “layaway.”

How does that work? 75 cents a week for a year? Do people really do this? Why?

Leasing $250 TV sets

Here’s another one I don’t understand. Leasing an el cheapo $249 TV? You won’t even OWN it!

Plus, no credit check required. I guess people need to watch TV desperately that they’re willing to have debt hanging over their heads (regardless of how little?)

Maybe I’m missing something – and this is the way it always was (since I just started receiving emails). But it doesn’t sound too promising to me.

Cash floating is big business. If I can hold onto even a small bit of many peoples cash I can make big money on the float – and other ways too!

The City of Hoboken for instance is a very good example. They make you pay for an illegal tow. Then if you fight the ticket and win you then have the HUGE HUGE hurdle of trying to get your tow fee for your illegally towed car back. You will be sent form letter how you are wrong and a refund would be against “city policy”. Then you call your council member, visit city hall in person, talk to the Business administrator, stand in front of the Council and then MAYBE you will get a check – SIX TO NINE MONTHS LATER. Meanwhile you have been held accountable for paying your FULL TAXES on time. With no hold against your taxes the city was given almost a $200 float with your money!! When I let them know the inherent unfairness of this – and they thought I would be happy just to get the $$$, they said well we have no ordinance that would alllow for that!